Director, Divisional Emergency Disaster Services

The Divisional Director of Emergency Disaster Services manages and coordinates The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) program within a geographic region and supports THQ EDS with the Humanitarian Workforce Project.

• Prevention/Mitigation/Preparedness Planning
  1. Plans, organizes, and directs the TSA EDS preparedness planning within the division
  2. Participates in developing strategic response and recovery plans when called upon by the TSA Divisional EDS Policy Group
  3. Assists and supports local MUs in implementation of an EDS program at the local level
  4. Assists and supports local MUs in developing and maintaining relationships with local external response agencies and volunteers
  5. Assists local MUs in developing preparedness plans for business continuity in the event of an emergency
  6. Plans, participates in and leads TSA activities for disaster response special events, emergency exercises, and mock disasters.
  7. Develops and implements full cycle training program for division
  8. Conducts assessments (or consult existing research) of risk factors and develop plans accordingly. These plans typically detail approaches to risk prevention, emergency response and public education.

• Emergency Response/Recovery
  1. Plans, organizes and directs the TSA EDS emergency response within the division
  2. Coordinates the availability of adequate TSA resources for an EDS response using ICS
  3. Participates in assessing and resolving operational issues and policies when called upon by the TSA Divisional EDS Policy Group
  4. Assists and supports local MUs with emergency response as requested
  5. Liaises with Policy Group, Assistant Territorial Director of EDS, and other divisional EDS leadership as required during ongoing response or recovery effort
  6. Discusses problem situations and remedies with stakeholders and may participate directly in the provision of services to resolve difficult issues or problems
  7. Performs after action assessments following an incident and evaluate the effectiveness of the existing procedures. Where did they succeed? Where did they fail? How can they be improved in the future to further mitigate harms?

• Human Resources
  1. During response and recovery activities, supervises and motivates EDS personnel within the region
  2. Establishes training requirements for response/recovery roles in accordance with territorial standards
  3. Establishes relationships with the stakeholders affected by identified risks, including the government, private industry, local residents and other public safety agencies (ex. police and fire).
  4. Assists and supports local MUs in volunteer recruitment
  5. Plans, manages, and participates in training within the division
  6. Develops annual regional EDS training plan
  7. Maintains up-to-date volunteer records including skills and training

• Administrative/Financial
  1. In consultation with relevant stakeholders, develops and maintains regional EDS documentation including policies, procedures, and standard forms
  2. Participates in meetings and committees with Territorial Director of EDS and other EDS personnel as required
  3. Conducts annual operational audits of local MU EDS programs to ensure stewardship of capital resources and adherence to EDS delivery standards and legal regulations
  4. Prepares and submits reports and statistics as required to management and donors
  5. Develops, monitors and controls annual regional EDS operating budget
  6. Prepares funding requests and proposals to support EDS activities as requested
  7. Demonstrates diligent stewardship of resources

• Organizational Responsibilities
  1. Ensures TSA EDS practices and service delivery are consistent with policies and mission of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda
  2. Ensures effective service delivery consistent with provincial/territorial emergency social services (ESS) and EDS mandates of The Salvation Army as negotiated with governments, both municipal and provincial, within defined contractual, budgetary, legal and other requirements.
  3. Maintains and promotes a positive image of The Salvation Army by providing a high caliber of professional service and by being courteous, cooperative, and helpful at all times
  4. Supports The Salvation Army’s mission and demonstrates the Core Values
  5. Takes responsibility for own ongoing professional development to remain current with emerging trends within the Emergency Management field

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Governance Boards and Councils:

Internal:

• Member of Divisional Policy Group (when not directly engaged in response)
• Participates in meetings and committees as assigned by the DC or ATDEDS

External:

• Develops working relationships, partnerships, and agreements with municipal and provincial/territorial governments, public agencies, and other non-government organizations to provide efficient and effective emergency response
• Liaises with community resources and partners to encourage community involvement in emergency response
• With respect to emergency management, represents The Salvation Army at the provincial/territorial level and participates in meetings and committees as required
• With respect to emergency management, represents The Salvation Army at the municipal level in locations with no local Salvation Army presence

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY:  

• Reports directly to: Divisional Secretary
• Direct reports for this position: EDS Specialists
• May oversee officers, staff and/or volunteers during EDS deployments
• This position relates to divisional emergency disaster services leadership from other divisions and THQ, EDS trainers and territorial communications secretariat personnel.
• Accountable to Assistant Territorial Director of EDS as it relates to Humanitarian Workforce Project

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:  

• Assists with EDS budget and financial reporting
• Responsible for Humanitarian Workforce deployment budget and reporting for division
• Management, safekeeping, effective usage and/ distribution of materials
• Responsible for management of Community Response Units (CRU’s) in division
• Limited input into new policy development

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• Work is typically in a home office environment.
• The ability to function independently, and frequently under pressure, while managing multiple concurrent projects and deadlines including participating in, resolving, and effectively managing emergency/crisis situations is an ongoing expectation.
• Flexibility as participation in response, meetings, conferences, and other events may involve long workdays and/or evening/weekend work.
• Must be deployable during a disaster incident to support emergency operations for a minimum of 14 days and work extended hours.
• During a disaster incident, this position may be deployed to support on-site disaster relief operations. This may include operating in "hardship conditions" where basic amenities, such as power and water, may not be readily available. Working conditions during a disaster operation may be extremely hectic and stressful.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:  

• Completion of formal post-secondary/college/University program of three academic years in disaster and emergency management or a related field
• An undergraduate or master’s degree will be considered as an asset.
• Successful completion of key National Disaster Training Program courses (Introduction to The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, Foundations of Emotional & Spiritual Care, Disaster Food Service and Canteen Operations, Incident Command System, Train the Trainer) or ability to complete within 6 months.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Diploma or certificate in disaster and emergency management is an asset.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements  

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively more responsible senior management experience preferably in a field relevant to disaster and emergency management programs.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ frontline experience in emergency planning and preparedness or other experience in frontline work with survivors of emergency or disaster situations.
• Demonstrated in-depth working knowledge of applicable programs and services, legislation, and policies as well as issues in provincial emergency response
• Working knowledge of all Salvation Army emergency social services primary services programs, EDS programs and Salvation Army Social Service programs is an asset.
• Respect and understanding of The Salvation Army - its mission, culture, and values.

Note: Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful high-paced environments.
• Strong organization and administrative skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint.

Position: Full Time (35 hrs/week)

Interested applicants must respond in writing by January 26th, 2025 to:

Hiring Committee:

e-mail: Paulette.Bungay@salvationarmy.ca

The Salvation Army will accommodate candidates as required under applicable human rights legislation.   If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements. 

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS